Pterocarpus officinalis Jacq. Bloodwood. Leguminosae Legume Family. Lotoideae PeaSubfamily

摘要

Pterocarpus officinalis Jacq., called palo de pollo in Puerto Rico, bloodwood inGuyana and Panama, and by numerous other names throughout its extensive range, is an evergreen tree that reaches 40 m in height and 60 to 90 cm in diameter at breast height (d.b.h.) at maturity. Bloodwood's large, narrow, sinuous buttresses aid identification in the field. Other useful identifying characteristics are: very light wood; dark-red latex that exudes from cuts in the bark; large, alternate, odd pinnate leaves; and flat, round, winged seedpods. Bloodwood grows mainly in coastal wetlands including freshwater and brackish swamps, on the landward side of mangroves, and along streambanks.